P.O. BOX 519

Avalon NSW 2107

info@backcaresolutions.net

tel: 0407946294

Unfortunately back pain is a very individual condition and therefore there is no “one suit fits all” approach to back pain relief. And many people have experienced a journey through many different treatments before finding the one that finally gave them the relief they were after.

Daily activities such as lifting, bending and twisting can result in back pain. So it might be something easy like watching your posture and changing unhealthy habits like crossing your legs when sitting, standing preferably on one leg only, carrying the baby on one hip, sleeping on your tummy on a very soft mattress and much more, that could relieve your back pain. But if that doesn’t help it certainly is time to go and look for a good practitioner.

They again can only provide you with appropriate back pain relief after finding out the exact cause or identifying the situations that result in back pain. Back pain can be acute, recurrent or chronic. Many people suffering from back pain fall in the first category. That means also that pain can vanish in about 4 - 6 weeks and home remedies prove to be very effective. In case of recurrent pain, the pain reappears after some time. And if you had a treatment that worked the first time around it is certainly a good idea to go back to that treatment instead of waiting until it might get better by itself - and aggravating it. Chronic pain lasts for a longer period of time and those, suffering from chronic pain, are often on a long search for effective relief.

Simple exercises or massage can provide adequate back pain relief in cases where the pain is not severe or is caused by poor posture or simply by straining the muscles. However, in cases where the pain stays on for a longer time and is accompanied by other symptoms such as numbness in the back or the arms, or pins and needles in the limbs, weakness or a shooting pain in the leg etc.one should consult a specialist rather than rely on home medicines or remedies.

And if your pain is that bad, that you can hardly move or hardly get off the chair, floor or bed, it could be as severe as having a prolapsed disc and should really get medical attention as soon as possible. For the aftercare of such a condition you can then go for alternative treatments like acupuncture, Osteopathy, Dorn Spinal Therapy, and many more.

Long stretches of bed rest are not an effective method to provide back pain relief. Evidence has shown that rest does not aid in the recovery of a person suffering from back pain. It is much better if we continue with our normal activities while taking some measures for relieving the pain.

Regular exercise certainly is a very effective method of providing back pain relief. Yoga is considered to be one of the best ways to reduce back pain and so is Pilates, best however to go for clinical Pilates where you have a program specifically tailored to your needs.

What ever exercise you do to recover from your back pain, make sure you do not do any exercises where you are hurting. As soon as pain sets in, stop the exercise and go for another one. There are many, many exercises, you don’t have to experience pain in order to get better.

But there are 2 things to remember:

1. Prevention is the best cure. So those who are engaged in regular exercise, are not overweight and watch their posture and their diet run a much lower risk of experiencing severe back problems than those who couldn’t care less about those factors.

2. Oral medication is only a cover up in most cases. In order to really wipe out the original reason for the pain you should go and see a practitioner, in my opinion though you should only have 3 treatments to really get an idea if it is helpful. If you cannot see massive progress go and try something else until you find the treatment that suits you and your needs. I am sure in many cases Dorn Spinal Therapy would be one of them - best even let it be the first one as you might not need any other treatment.

I wish you all the best and hopefully you will soon be back to your good old self and if you wish to take a closer look at some helpful exercises please have a look at “The Book” page.

These jobs include workers from warehouses, food service, assembly factories, long haul truckers and many more. It has also shown that people who stay in such high risk jobs raise their chances of suffering long term effects dramatically. Many jobs have begun to push the use of lift belts or back support belts but studies have begun to show that they are ineffective for those who are not currently in pain. They actually add little support and cannot prevent injury.

Now studies are showing that leading a semi-sedentary lifestyle may be partially to blame for the rise in back pain cases. Obesity can increase the chances of adding pressure to the vertebrae and discs. Also, stiff or weak muscles can contribute to the cause as well. Stiff muscles can decrease the body’s overall capability to properly bend, rotate or move the back. Weak muscles in the back put people at risk for a disk compression injury, and weak stomach muscles can lead to an abnormal tilt to the pelvis which can increase back strain.

Some people feel that by greatly increasing their level of exercise they will get into shape faster. The truth is quite the opposite. Excessive, as well as improperly performed, exercise can put them at a greater risk for back pain as well. Improper or Intense Exercise. Improper or excessive exercise may also increase one’s chances for back pain. One way to combat this is to pay attention to body mechanics. Take cycling for example, just by properly adjusting the seat to the user many cyclists can greatly reduce their chances of having back pain issues.

Posture can play a huge role in whether or not a person will suffer from back pain. By keeping the head up, stomach in and hips, shoulders and ears in a straight line good posture can be maintained. Also, do not stand for long periods of time if possible. If a good deal of walking or standing is required make sure to wear comfortable shoes, preferably without heels, that have a good cushioned sole in them. Also, if standing in one place for a good deal of time, then try to rest a foot on something such as a stool. Make sure to alternate feet every so often. 

Both riding and driving in a vehicle for long periods can lead to back pain as well. If possible a driver should stop and take a walk about once per hour. Also, try to avoid carrying or lifting heavy objects just after a long ride. Lastly, stop smoking. Smoking is known to increase the likelihood of suffering due to back pain because of the decrease in blood circulation that accompanies smoking itself. By making just a few lifestyle changes such as the ones listed above it is possible to decrease existing back pain as well as lowering the chances of suffering from future bouts of it as well.

I often have clients in my clinic who say, after they have been aligned and balanced, “but now I feel completely unbalanced, as if I am lop-sided….”. Well that  just shows me for how long this client must have been holding on to the wrong posture and by doing so it became the posture that feels right. And now that the posture is right, it feels wrong. Luckily the body doesn;t take too long to accept the right posture and it won’t feel wrong for too long.

But how do we get to that wrong posture in the first place? A lot of postural habits are developed when we are young, growing, developing muscles and our structure. If you watch a baby sitting up, it is always nice and straight, and it looks so natural. A baby doesn’t have to think about straightening its back, it just is normal as this is the way we are built. But then development and habits kick in and there goes the straight back - in most cases at least. Once we reach puberty the muscles fully develop and our posture becomes more fixed. It is this crucial time where we look for role models in every level of life and it is important for parents to model a good posture, only then can they correct their teenagers into keeping their back straight even though it is not cool at all. Walk your talk as they say, only by doing that you can really be a model for the teenage kids.

And I know, it is not easy to convince a teenager from anything and words like “you will suffer from back pain in a few years” land on deaf eyes because there is no way a teenager worries about the future and the pain he might develop. In the end they are invincible and what parents say is wrong. So one of the best points to get them is their self-consciousness.  But be careful, don’t drop the remarks too obviously but wait for the right moment to deliver in a subtle way and it might actually bring the desired result: Change in their posture.

Once they realise how good it actually feels to feel right they will have no problems to pick up the wrong and hopefully correct it immediately and with that habit have crossed out one of the major causes for developing back pain.

The large muscles in the upper back that are responsible for attaching the shoulder girdle to the scapula can be prone to irritation known as myofascial pain which can be very difficult to get rid of. This type of pain can be caused from muscle strains or sports injuries as well as automobile accidents. Some of the best forms of relief for this type of pain include exercise (or physical therapy), acupuncture, chiropractic work, or massage therapy. Since it is the large muscles that are affected, these treatment options will most likely include quite a bit of strengthening and stretching exercises.

If you are tender in a very specific area then you may have what is known as a trigger point. These are points located inside of a skeletal muscle. These trigger points can be worked out by using either massage therapy or acupuncture. It may also be beneficial to use a combination of the two methods. You may also consider a trigger point injection if neither of the previously mentioned methods is effective. This is the injection of a local anesthetic into the trigger point itself to help relieve the pain.

Pain medicines may also be recommended if the pain is severe. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be used to reduce any swelling that may be present which can help to accelerate the healing process.

If there is dysfunction of the joints where the ribs connect with the vertebrae then upper back pain can occur. Treatment for this type of joint dysfunction will usually involve mobilizing the joint and then reducing the discomfort. Physical therapy may be recommended for this sort of injury and a home exercise program may be instituted as well to help strengthen the back and stretch the spine and shoulders. Anti-inflammatory medications may be recommended in order to decrease the inflammation that goes along with joint dysfunction.

No matter the cause of upper back pain, one of the key things to remember is that prevention is important. Always stretch before lifting or bending and make sure that if the load is heavy that you have a partner to help. If you work at a desk or in front of a computer for long hours every day then you should take time out every so often to stand up and stretch. This will keep your muscles from becoming tired and over taxed from poor posture. Also, make sure that you have a chair that is ergonomically sound. This includes having proper neck and lower back support as well as arm rests so that the weight of your arms are not constantly pulling against your shoulders.

One of the first things you can do for a sore or injured back is to help relieve the amount of pressure and weight that your back is responsible for carrying. You can do this by lying with your back on the floor. You will need to place pillows under your knees to insure that your legs are not placing undue strain on the muscles in your back. With your hips and knees bent place your feet on a chair. This should help you to get some relief just from the weight of your legs and from any alignment issues you might be experiencing. Remember; do not rest more than a day or two. If you do you can run the risk of weakening your muscles which can then lead to further injury. Make sure you walk about for a few minutes at a time at least once an hour.

If you are having muscle spasms then you could consider using heat and cooling for relief. Apply an ice pack to the affected area for no more than 15 minutes and then follow it with a heating pad for 20 to 30 minutes. It is very important that you do not go to sleep while using a heating pad. Most new ones today have a safety switch that will cause them to cut off after so much time. The older models have been known to cause burns to those who fell asleep using them.

If these do not work or if you have inflammation then you may benefit from the use of a nonprescription medicine. These medicines include aspirin, naproxen, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. These medicines can do a decent job of pain relief as well as reducing swelling. They can have side effects, however, if used for too long of a period.

Another method for relief of low back pain is massage. If the injury is due to muscle related issues rather than a herniated disc or a pinched nerve then a massage can help to relieve the soreness of the muscles and will also help you to relax which can further benefit your back as well. If you are having pain that extends all the way down your leg past the knee or if you have a known injury to the back then you should immediately contact your doctor. There may be a serious problem that needs to be identified as soon as possible so that no more damage is done.

There are twelve vertebrae in the middle back and it is known as the thoracic section. Cartilage discs are found between each of these vertebrae and function as shock absorbers in order to aid in movement and protection of the bones. The bones and the cartilage act together in order to protect the spinal cord which then runs through a canal in the center of each. The tendons and muscles in this part of the back help to add stability and some protection as well.

With many different working parts there is always the chance of a problem arising in the form of an injury. Muscle strain is one of the most common injuries of the middle back. It can be caused by not warming up before an exercise routine, over exertion or lifting too heavy of a load. If you happen to twist suddenly while lifting or bending it is also possible to strain the muscles. Being overweight, poor posture and bad sleep habits can all contribute to middle back pain as well.

Since the primary cause of middle back pain seems to be strained muscles you will find that this can be treated rather easily. Bed rest is not advisable due to the possible loss of muscle conditioning that can take place. If you must rest try not to do so for more than one day. If there is some general swelling or inflammation you can apply a combination of heat and ice. Apply an ice pack to the area of soreness for roughly ten minutes. Follow this with heat from a heating pad for fifteen to twenty minutes. Do this about two or three times each or until the swelling begins to subside.

Try to limit your lifting so that you do not worsen the condition. You should try to slowly resume your daily activities while making sure to avoid overdoing it. If the condition is due to a strained muscle then you might try massage therapy. This can help to ease the pain and release the tension that has built up. Physical therapy may also be necessary to help you to regain the strength in your back as well as helping to prevent further occurrences.

Knowing how to relieve middle back pain is important but so is knowing how to prevent it. By keeping your weight at a manageable level and taking care of your body you will have no problems in accomplishing the goal of prevention. Good posture and smoking cessation are both important as well. If you work toward each of these goals you will find that it is much easier to prevent middle back pain.

Drug therapy is one method used by many doctors to help treat back pain. There are many medications on the market designed to help alleviate pain. They can also help to preventing or lessen spasms and muscle tension and also may reduce inflammation. While drug therapy can be useful it can also have its drawbacks. Many of today’s medications come with the chance of serious side effects. Your doctor should inform you completely of any risks that may be associated with the medicines that you are prescribed.

Another method of treating back pain that is used frequently today is spinal injections. This method of treatment involves the use of a local anesthetic to numb the site where the injection is to be made. A steroid based medication known as a corticosteroid is then injected into the spine through the numbed area. This steroidal injection is made in order to reduce any inflammation that may be present in the affected areas. This method is not without its risks. There is a chance of improper insertion of the needle that could lead to further health problems later on.

Surgery is usually a very uncommon treatment for back pain unless certain conditions exist that is exacerbating the pain. In the case of a herniated disc, physicians may choose to treat them by performing a discectomy. By removing some of the gel-like material that is inside the disc. This can allow the disc to regain some of it normal shape and may help to relieve pressure on the nerves. In the case of a compressed or pinched nerve caused by an issue with the spinal canal itself a procedure known as a foraminotomy may be performed. This is the expansion of the openings in the spinal canal through which the nerves pass.

Complimentary medical procedures are regularly attempted as a means of relief by many sufferers, often to their benefit. These procedures include acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, massage therapy and physical therapy. Acupuncture involves the use of needles placed along various points on the body as a means of releasing endorphins which can then help to relieve pain. Chiropractic involves insuring proper alignment of the spine in order to correct any imbalance that may be causing the back pain. Massage therapy involves the use of manual manipulation of the muscles of the back to help relieve pain caused by tension or over use of those muscles.

When talking with a health care practitioner you should keep in mind that the treatment options that they give you may not be the only ones available. Ask if there is a less intrusive treatment that may be attempted before resorting to any invasive surgery. Above all, do not get discouraged. There is no magic cure that will help everyone equally. It may take a couple of attempts before you find the right back pain treatment for you.

The disabilities that may be present are many and cover a wide area of topics. Some of the ones that may be evident can include depression, weight gain and social withdrawal. Others include insomnia, muscle wasting, decreased sex drive and medication dependence. Many sufferers of chronic pain find themselves jobless and possibly even facing litigation as well. Sometimes chronic pain will come out of a bout with acute pain that may not totally clear itself up.

The injury that was responsible for the pain may in fact heal but the pain may remain. When it does the side effects will surely follow not long after. Muscle loss can cause a more intense feeling of pain due to overcompensation by the body. This loss of complete functionality can then lead to depression and low self-esteem which can cause even further sensitization to pain. It is quite possible for chronic pain sufferers to actually feel pain from a non-painful source. This is known as allodynia.

With the correct treatments the pain may remain but the side effects of it can be reduced greatly. Some of them may even be eliminated totally. This can help to reverse the process of the chronic pain, helping to alleviate it as progress is made. The first step is to identify the most serious of them and treat those first. By taking care of problems such as the depression and weight gain it is quite possible to do away with the others quite easily. The pain can begin to fade and it may even be possible to get rid of the chronic back pain altogether.

One of the things a person suffering from acute pain should remember is that they should follow the suggestions given by their physician in order to lower the chances of the development of chronic pain. However, once the cause of the acute back pain has healed the sufferer should not continue the same methods. Doing so can help to speed the onset of chronic pain rather than helping to heal it. Today there are many methods being tested out as doctors search for the most effective means to treat chronic pain.

From medications and surgery to chiropractic care and massage therapy so far it has shown that the most effective means may just be a combination of factors that are based on an individual’s personal pain experience. This will allow them the treatment routine best suited for their personal chronic pain. One of the first, and most important, steps that remains important today is to prevent the onset of chronic pain rather than trying to treat it after the fact.

Holistic medicine helps to create a sense of cooperation among all the individuals that are involved in the patient’s care including the patient himself. The goal of holistic medicine is to achieve the best possible outcome (physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and socially) for healing the patient. The patient is examined as a whole individual. All aspects of the patient’s life are factored into their care be it their nutritional, emotional, physical, environmental, spiritual or social values. Every possible modality of treatment and diagnosis is examined including the use of surgery as a last resort. Holistic medicine also maintains that the patient should have an active hand in achieving their own wellness and balance by being properly educated and being placed in a position of responsibility.

When holistic medicine is applied to back pain there can be a very positive effect. Sufferers can usually see a rather marked improvement in their overall quality of life in a much shorter time. Through a combination of physical therapy combined with exercise and relaxation techniques it may be possible to avoid any complicated and potentially dangerous surgeries.

Physical therapy can offer the benefit of a strength building program and can assist to educate a patient in proper posture and lifting techniques so that both further and future injuries can be avoided. Physical therapy can include several different forms of exercise and treatments including the use of moist heat, pools or spas and massage in order to help improve overall mobility, increase circulation and help to relieve pain.

Some light anti-inflammatory medication may be used to help keep the inflammation down so the healing can progress more easily. Some other forms of treatment that may be incorporated include sending weak electrical impulses to the nerves surrounding the affected area. This can help to stimulate production and release of endorphins which can help to naturally block pain. Meditation is another method that may be used as a means of allowing the patient to block some of the pain.

There are many different alternative treatments that may or may not prove useful when used in combination within an existing treatment plan. Acupuncture, once touted by the ancient Chinese, is making a comeback. But of course it is not just acupuncture that is on offer nowadays, but there is chinese acupuncture, japanese acupuncture, which is basically painless, then there is dry needling, which uses the method of putting needles into trigger points. this can be very painful but has proven very successful especially in cases where there is a lot of tight muscles involved in the cause of pain. And not to forget Laser acupuncture, ideal for those of you, scared of needles.

Modern medicine is now running trials to find out just how effective it may be at helping to treat pain. Needless to say, back pain is nearly a universal ailment across the world. As time progresses more and more holistic treatment options will undoubtedly prove their value as an alternative to the more invasive methods of treatment. But generally it is a case of finding what works for you and sticking to it. It certainly is good to use other peoples recommendation but in the end it is your own experience that counts and what helps John, doesn’t necessarily work for Jim - if you know what I mean.